After over 36 years of business, Berger Rental Communities continues to hold true to the same principles to which it was founded – we understand that the resident is the most important part of our business. This principle is complimented

Get out of Debt

Debt can take over your life with just a little bad luck, or some less-than-perfect spending decisions. Debt can limit you in many ways, including the option to rent an apartment. Even if your debt has not had a tremendous effect on your credit rating, a high debt to income ratio will certainly affect whether you will be approved for an apartment. Below are some steps to pulling yourself out of debt, and increasing your rental qualifications: 

Step 1: Stop using the Credit Card

While Credit Cards always seem appealing at first, they can turn into a burden quickly if they are not managed properly. When you were in need of emergency car repair, that credit card was great, but now, the $400 car repair is costing you $600 because of the interest rate. The monthly payments on the interest and balance is eating away at your bank account, limiting your money available for day-to-day expenses. When you are spending your paychecks on credit card payments, what do you turn to when you need money to live? That Credit Card. The only way to eliminate Credit Card debt is to eliminate using the Credit Card, and using just the money that you have in the bank, unless it is a true emergency. 

Step 2: Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

Yes, there is such a thing as Good Debt. While too much debt is always bad, some types of debt are almost necessary for most people to have in order to live their lives. Good debt allows you to get something for your money over time, when the interest rate is low and the funds you are not using will appreciate in value. Student loans and home mortgages fall into this category. Automobile loans are on the fence-while interest rates on automobile loans are low, automobiles do not appreciate in value. Other loans including personal loans and credit cards are considered bad debt. When eliminating debt, focus first on the bad debt. Of course, you will still need to make payments towards your good debt accounts, however, it is nice to know that those accounts were wise decisions. 

Step 3: Cut Out the Bad Debt

As painful as it might be, cut up every credit card except for the one that has the lowest interest rate. That credit card can be saved for true emergencies. Take out your most recent set of credit card bills, and highlight the minimum payment on each one. Vow to make that minimum on time every month, plus as much as you can afford to pay on top of the minimum payments. Next, start negotiating. Credit card companies do sometimes have the ability to reduce their interest rate. Credit card companies do want your money, so, they might consider reducing your rate if they can get your money sooner. 

Step 4: Make a Plan

Just making minimum payments will not make the debt go away. You need to regularly pay more than the minimum if you want to debt to disappear. Determine what you can live without-brew your own coffee, pack your lunch, cut back on cable. All of your savings in other areas can be big debt reducers. You can consider yourself “debt free” when your bad debt has been paid off and you can comfortably make payments towards your good debt accounts, while being able to save a bit.

Making Grocery Shopping a Bearable Experience

Grocery shopping can often times be a dreaded task for apartment renters. Fighting the crowds after work, figuring out what to buy, spending the money, carrying the bags up the stairs, unloading, dropping the eggs…Procrastinating the grocery shopping leads to not having food in the apartments, which leads to the increased expenses associated with eating out and take out. Below are a couple of tips that can make grocery shopping pleasant: 

  1. Do not go grocery shopping when you are hungry. You will purchase more than you need, forget about what you really need, be indecisive, and will end up feeling grumpy.
  2. Go to the grocery store during quiet times. Mornings, after dinner hours, and Wednesdays are generally quiet. Sundays are generally the busiest days at grocery stores. When you go to the store without fighting crowds, you will be able to take the time to think about what you need, and have the patience to find it.
  3. Shop consistently in the same stores so that you become familiar with the aisles and locations of food. Shopping in just a few stores also means that you can become familiar with each store’s specialties, and pricing.
  4. Make a shopping list ahead of time. Organize the list by aisle or department to make a quick and efficient shopping trip.
  5. If going to the grocery store just simply does not work for you, order your groceries online. Most large grocery chains have a delivery program, and they can be super easy.

Using Outside Storage Facilities

Storage space is a priority for many apartment renters. While Berger Rental Communities apartments feature a ton of closet space, many other apartments leave residents needing more storage space. Instead of ruling out a particular apartment due to its storage situation, compare the cost of an apartment with more space to the cost of renting a storage locker at an outside facility. Some renters find that renting a storage locker is more economical and convenient than selecting a different apartment, or, choosing to leave some belongings behind. The following are some tips for using outside storage facilities:

Renting a Storage Locker:

  • Find a storage facility close to your apartment. The easier it is to get to, the more comfortable you will feel. Ask your leasing staff for a referral to the closest storage facility.
  • Determine the type and size of storage locker that you will need. Most storage facilities have a variety of sizes to choose from. Storage facilities also have a variety of security features-depending on what you are storing, this may be your top priority. Think about whether or not you will require a temperature-controlled storage locker.
  • Some storage lockers feature shelving and other organizational systems. If you require systems like these, be sure to inquire about the availability at the storage facility.
  • Remember that your belongings remain your responsibility while they are in an outside storage facility. Ask your renter’s insurance company if off-site items are included in the coverage.
  • Read your storage agreement carefully, just like your apartment lease. Be sure to ask questions about any items that you do not understand. Keep this agreement in  a safe location.

Packing for a Storage Locker:

  • It is important that your belongings in your storage locker are easily accessible, and well preserved.
  • Do not store hazardous, flammable, explosive, perishable, environmentally harmful items (some paints, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) or anything that may be a risk to the property of any person (acid, gasoline, etc.).
  • Use boxes of high quality so that they will not break easily inside of the storage locker. Using boxes of the same size will make them easier to stack. Each box should be completely sealed to keep out dust and debris.

Protecting Your Security Deposit

Most apartment communities require that residents pay a security deposit prior to moving in. The amount of security deposit required can vary, however, a security deposit equal to one month’s rent is common. Security deposits are retained by apartment communities to use in the event that a resident damages the apartment during his or her residency. Unless the resident damages the apartment, security deposits are generally refunded after the lease expires. The following are some tips to use to insure that your security deposit is returned to you.

Before Moving In

Make a written list of any damage that is in the apartment when you take possession of the apartment. At Berger Rental Communities, all new residents complete a pre-move in inspection form to document any imperfections that were not caused by the resident.

While Living in the Apartment

Take care of your apartment as if it is your own.

  • Clean your apartment regularly.
  • Call the maintenance department to make repairs as need be. Read Don’t Hesitate To Call For Maintenance for more information.
  • Do not attempt to make repairs on your own-contact your maintenance department for all repairs. If you caused the damage for reasons other than normal wear and tear, the apartment community might charge you for the repairs, or, inform you to make the repair on your own. Regardless, it will save you time and money to handle repairs and damage before moving out.

Before Moving Out

While most apartment communities will not keep your security deposit for items of normal wear and tear, it is important that you restore your apartment to a condition similar to when you moved in. After you have packed up and cleared some space in your apartment, there are a few tasks that you will want to do before surrendering possession of your apartment:

Bathroom(s):

  • Scrub the bathtub/shower.
  • Scrub the inside and outside of the toilet.
  • Clean the sink.
  • Dust and clean the inside and outside of the medicine cabinet.
  • Clean the mirror.

Kitchen:

  • Clean the inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers.
  • Wash the floor. Be sure to get all of your corners and areas that are normally difficult to reach.
  • Clean the countertop and backsplash.
  • Clean the sink.
  • Clean the stove, oven, microwave and broiler.
  • Defrost the refrigerator and freezer.
  • Make sure any ice trays or refrigerator/freezer accessories are in place.
  • Empty and clean the garbage disposal and dishwasher.

General:

  • Have all carpets professionally cleaned.
  • Remove all tacks and/or nails from the walls and spackle the holes left behind.
  • Clean windows and window sills.
  • Clean your patio/balcony.
  • Don’t forget to pack everything that you brought into the apartment, including shower curtains, shower hooks, and rugs.

If you are concerned about the condition of your apartment prior to moving out, schedule an appointment with your apartment community staff to walk through your apartment.